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Inspiron 8600 Laptop - New Hard Disk, Windows - Finding a Wireless Connection
My Hard Disk CRASHED after two years. Lost tons of Data including pics and video.
Anyway, I purchased a new one from Dell and have Formatted it and re-installed Windows XP. That said when I try to find wirless connections (SBC Yahoo DSL) I am not given the option of searching for Wireless Connections. I am thinking that Windows may not be seeing the internal wireless card and therefore not looking (or giving me the option to look) for wireless hubs.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
volcano11
28K Posts
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March 7th, 2006 01:00
After reinstalling Windows did you install all of the device drivers, chipset first? If the chipset drivers aren't installed first, Windows will not be able to recognize or install drivers for other devices, like your wireless network adapter.
Steve
volcano11
28K Posts
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March 9th, 2006 01:00
Did you ever think of going to the Dell Support site and clicking on the Downloads link? For the Inspiron 8600 all drivers can be found at:
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4M_8600&os=WW1&osl=EN
Steve
cpupluv
62 Posts
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March 9th, 2006 01:00
volcano11
28K Posts
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March 9th, 2006 04:00
I just downloaded the drivers with no problem whatsoever. What happens when you try to download? Is your computer viurs and spwyare free? Have you tried deleting your temporary internet files?
Steve
cpupluv
62 Posts
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March 9th, 2006 04:00
cpupluv
62 Posts
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March 9th, 2006 04:00
Oh, yes, I have been there. The drivers will not download. I turned off the firewall, McAfee and all the rest of the stuff recommended and it is a no go. Believe me I try everywhere before I call Dell or post here. My intel pro wireless is just plain gone, not listed in devices. I think I will just buy an external adapter and forego all this hassle. I just do not have time to straighten out these messes as it is now 12:30am and I have worked all night trying to fix this mess.
And of course I have tried the old restart the computer also.
cpupluv
62 Posts
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March 9th, 2006 05:00
I made progress and if I had really been thinking hard after the downloads did not work I would have tried it before. I went to the Dell driver folders and found the one for the intel pro wireless and just reinstalled it. At least it is back under devices now but whether it will work any better will have to wait until tomorrow. I still think something is wrong with it just by all the posts I have been reading.
Thanks for the help. It did help in a round about way.
cpupluv
62 Posts
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March 9th, 2006 15:00
volcano11
28K Posts
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March 9th, 2006 16:00
Does your other wireless computer work in the same location? Are there any barriers that may be reducing the signal between your router and your location outside? Do you know if any of your neighbors have 2.4 Ghz wireless phones that may be interfering with the signal. Have you tried changing the channel on your wireless router to one of the extreme channels (1 or 11) to reduce interference from cordless phones? If it is only outside that the problem occurs, then it is likely not really a problem with your wireless network card, but rather a problem with the environment.
Steve
cpupluv
62 Posts
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March 10th, 2006 11:00